The Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers are trading haymakers in this edition of Battle of Alberta. In Game 3 this Sunday, which between these teams will come away with a 2-1 series lead? Check out our preview below of this Flames vs. Oilers 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs game.
The Flames are still in good form even though they are coming off a 5-3 loss in Game 2. They knew even before the series kicked off that Edmonton was going to be a tough customer, and it’s been that case so far. With prolific Oilers skaters going at them, the Flames have to ask more from goalie Jacob Markstrom, who’s having a rough series so far, having allowed 11 goals already despite facing fewer shots than Edmonton’s Mike Smith. Help could be on the way, though, for Markstrom and Calgary’s defense with shutdown blueliner Chris Tanev getting more time to recover from an undisclosed injury. As for their offense, the Flames have been getting theirs, with Johnny Gaudreau leading the way. Johnny Hockey had a pair of assists in Game 2 to extend his streak to seven playoff games in a row with at least a point.
The Flames are 20-9 in their last 29 games after a day of rest.
The Oilers are a problem. Their speed has been incredible, and that was more than emphasized in Game 2 when they struck multiple times on the breakaway, including a shorthanded score from Zach Hyman. With Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the charge and with guys like Hyman and Evander Kane, the Oilers are a constant threat to explode offensively. They have actually done that in both games of the series, only this time in Game 2, the Oilers won the possession battle and coaxed a much better performanc from Mike Smith. The 40-year-old goalie surrendered three goals on Friday, but that was a finer showing than when he gave up three goals on just 10 shots faced in the series opener. The momentum is now on the Oilers just in time for a crucial Game 3 at home ice.
